During which phase of meiosis do homologous chromosomes segregate?

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes segregate during Anaphase I. This phase comes after Metaphase I, where paired homologous chromosomes are aligned at the cell's equatorial plane. In Anaphase I, the spindle fibers pull the homologous chromosomes apart, leading to one chromosome from each pair moving towards opposite poles of the cell. This process reduces the chromosome number in the resulting daughter cells, which is crucial for maintaining the diploid number in the next generation when fertilization occurs.

Understanding this phase is vital as it underscores the importance of genetic diversity; this segregation mechanism ensures that each gamete receives a unique combination of alleles from the parent organism. This process is essential for the proper formation of gametes and ultimately for sexual reproduction, allowing for variation in a population.